Growing up by the Water, painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Growing Up by the Water, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 24"x30"

 



Born in Gloucester, Mass, I grew up by the water.  Everyone in Gloucester does, whether your home is on a waterway or not.  The water, the North Atlantic ocean, the river and broad marshes can be seen from every rise in the land.  Most of the residents walk the beach, the back shore, the Boulevard or some other outdoor area frequently.  Most celebrations in Gloucester are centered on the water and many of the inhabitants derive their living from the sea or in some related area. 

Growing up by the water in Florida is a little different.  The water in the Everglades is slow moving and filled with alarming creatures, at least if you are from New England you think they are alarming.  (To me an alligator is much more alarming than, say, a seal.)  The moods of the water are different, too, and so is the light. 

I've painted this mangrove several times over the last 20 years.  It started out very small, but has grown, and now has a shy baby of it's own.

End of year and Five on a Prairie, daily painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Five on a Prairie, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x7"

 

 

UGH, the end of the year is coming.  Why does it have to come so soon after Christmas?  I'd love a few weeks to remove the Christmas debris and get ready for the New Year properly, but there's only a few days.

It's the time of year when I look back, to see what I've accomplished, and look ahead to see what comes next.  I choose three words to help guide me along the path I've chosen.  Courage, patience and discipline were my words for 2012.  I've got courage down pretty well, and have worked hard on discipline but patience could really use some work.  UGH,. I'm not done with this year yet! 

It's also the time of year when I rewrite all my promotional materials to reflect any changes.  It has really paid off to have them ready when someone asks.  If they are all redone and dated with the new year it's easy to find them quickly to send out when there's an unexpected request. 

I've been thinking about changes to my website.  FASO, my wonderful website provider, has a new template that looks promising.  I'd love to find the time to try it for myself.  I have to plan quite a body of time for new web adventures because I'm only barely literate in computese, get quite frustrated, and often have to use "support" services.  Luckily, FASO's support is extraordinary. 

Trips to the Everglades and have given me several ideas for new paintings, in addition to the ones lingering in my mind.  I can't wait to get back to the easel.  That's really where I'm happiest these days. 

Still, I'll put all this aside and family will take priority for a few more days.  That's how it should be.  The studio will be closed today and open at noon on Thursday and Friday so I can be with them.  Maybe we'll attend the Naples Botanical Gardens "lights in the garden" tonight.  Sounds magical.  The rest can wait. 

Merry Christmas!

Palms in Autumn, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 20"x24" Sold

 

Merry Christmas!

 

May the beauty of the season fill your hearts with joy

and bring you wonderful memories.

 

Thank you for your friendship and your business. 

 

 

 

 



Wnter Solstice, and Moon painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Moon, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 20"x24"

 

 

Today is the 2012 date for the Winter Solstice.  It's the day with the longest dark period in the Northern Hemisphere, so a just finished and rather mysterious moon scene might be appropriate for this notable day.

 

Ancient people marked the solstices with rituals and celebration. It is believed that the date of Christmas was set to offset some of the pagan rites of Winter Solstice.  Many Christmas traditions such as the Yule log, mistletoe, singing, and sharing of food may have been adapted from pagan celebrations.   

 

The passing of the winter solstice brings thoughts of longer days and springtime ahead. Days will begin to shorten, and our world will begin, slowly, to awake to a new year. The animals will begin spring mating rituals and the plants will respond with new growth.

 

If you want to mark the solstice yourself, notice where the sun sets tonight outside your home.  In the months that follow, you should be able to follow the sun setting further and further into the northwest.  It will continue to move in that direction until the time of the Summer Solstice in June, when it will begin it's return journey.

Gathering, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Gathering, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x7"

 

 

Here's a little gathering of Everglades palms.  When I see a group like this, not really touching but still making a related group, I wonder about how they come to survive in this location.  The palms can only survive where the nutrient level of the soil allows it.  Why is there enough just right here?  If I were a scientist it would make an interesting study to learn more about the soils just under different groups.   

 

You have probably been at a lot of gatherings in the last few weeks.  It's something we do more during the holidays.  It's a great time for entertaining, and including friends who you might not see all the time.  Parties are fun, as long as there's not too many and they become an obligation.

 

I've been staying pretty close to the studio myself.  Painting has always been my outlet and continues to sustain me, and the new studio gallery keeps me busy. 

 

If you don't get my December newsletter, you can see it here.  Sorry if you received it addressed to "dear contact name"  rather than to your very dear self.  It was a newsletter provider glitch that happens without warning.  

Path through the Grasses, daily painting by Everglades painter Jo-Ann Sanborn

Path through the Grasses, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on archival board, 5"x7"

I have always loved Christmas time, but this year is more difficult than most.  I'll have family visiting, done some decorating and will do some cooking.  I'm looking forward to laughing and sharing with loved ones.  My heart breaks for those Connecticut mothers who have lost children and have to get through such a hard holidiy time right now.  

 

The studio has been busy and is keeping me occupied.  Busy as it is, I'm painting daily and want to post paintings for you.  I can stress, or simplify. Guess which I decided?  Simplify!  So in the next couple of weeks you may see daily paintings without many words.  

 

The subject will be "light in the landscape" for four Monday afternoons in January.  I'll be teaching at the Marco Island Center for the Arts.  If you 'd like to come along, you can sign up at the Marco Island Center for the Arts, or online here. 

Has anyone tried to "follow" and been unable to do so?  I haven't had a new follower for a while and am wondering if there's a problem. I seem to be having trouble verifying on blogs I might like to comment on, and some people are having this problem with mine.  Can anyone help with answers?   I've researched and tried several fixes that didn't work.  If it continues it may be time to change things up a bit, but it will mean possibly loosing all of you who have been getting the blog through the original google group.    

In any case I'm so glad you have stuck with me for another year.   I'm reluctant to make changes that may be a problem for you, so am proceeding carefully.  We'll see what the new year brings.

Snowmen 2012, the Video,

Snowman #20, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 7"x5"

 

The Snowmen of 2012!

 

Sunning, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Sunning, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x7"

 

 

Early Bird will be a gift for a Robin this Christmas

 

 

Sunday Morning Walk will be a gift for a woman who loves to walk on the beach.  Her husband peeked through the window of the Studio, liked my style, and contacted me.  Since neither of them read the blog (yet) I don't think I'm giving away secrets! 

 

Marco artist Judy Chinski and I helped out artist friend Betty Newman at the reception for her show.  She has a pop-up gallery at the Mercado in Naples, FL, courtesy of a partnership between the United Arts Council.  Her space is right across from the movies, and a her paintings look terrific with plenty of space to spread out.  There was a good turnout and she was happy to have support, and we had a great time, too, talking about her work rather than our own.  She'll only be there a few more days if you have the opportunity to stop in. 

 



Beach Club by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Beach Club, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 36x48

 

 

November was a busy month, and with several commissions to do, I neglected a few things. I'm playing catch-up in what is already a busy season. 

 

 

Today's painting, Beach Club, was painted at the request of my daughter who loves the tall palms I sometimes paint. 

 

Glorious, a commission, has been installed in a beautiful dining room in Cape Marco. 

 

 Glorious, 2012, jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 36x48

 



Everglades Breeze, another commission, was supposed to go into a hallway, but the owners were so pleased with it they hung it where they could pass by it more often.

 

 

Everglades Breeze, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 16x20

 

Dawning won an honorable mention in the NAWA-FL show Image Makers. Dawning is part of the Channel series that has deep and personal meaning for me.  To have one of them recognized is especially rewarding.  Happy Birthday, dear.   

 

Dawning, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 11x14

 

It's been almost two weeks since I've been out to the Everglades.  If you don't show up then you miss the magic that unfolds when you least expect it.  I need to get out there and see what's new and what's happening.  Sometimes something passed a million times goes unnoticed until it is ready to take center stage. If you're not there, you miss it.   

 

Truth, not flair, is what my painting is all about, and I'll make a  point of going out this weekend to see what's going on. Then I will take great pleasure in sharing it with you in a painting!  

Painting Panels, and Three in a Marsh daily painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

 

Three in a Marsh, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x7"

 

Today's daily painting, Three in a Marsh, like many of my newer dailies, is done on  a gessoboard panel.  I started using them for my Snowmen paintings, wanting them to be a little different than my Everglades dailies.  Now I'm beginning to uncover their strengths and really starting to like them. 

 

At first they seemed a little too slick since I usually like more tooth in the canvas.  Since I don't paint them a warm dark like the rest of my canvases, more light is reflected up from the layers below rather than being installed into the painting.  I'm working with the light instead of toward the light. 

 

If I begin with the more transparent pigments it's easier to layer in the light source.  The more opaque colors over the transparents give a nice glow from beneath, and seem quite rich. 

 

Raymar panels, canvas on board, also work very well for daily paintings. They are very light and easy to use.  Both of these substrates work much better for me than a stretched canvas for small work, and are of archival quality.  What's your preference? 

The Channel Paintings, and Morning Lessons, daily painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Morning Lessons, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 7"x5"

 

Today's small Everglades painting is a result of a little bit of a foggy morning last week.  The sky had touches of pink in it, and everything else was subdued.  The larger palm looks like it might be teaching something to the smaller one. 

 

I paint the palms so often that they often take on human personalities in my mind.  I guess we're both living things, doing the best we can to get by.  Living on the edge of a waterway that often floods and has few nutrients could be quite a challenge, but unless we can talk to the palms we'll never know. 

 

 

 

Dawning is being shown in the lobby of the City Hall  in Palm Beach Gardens this month as part of a National Association of Women Artists show, Image Makers.  I was delighted to get a call last week letting me know that it had won an honorable mention. It's part of a series of "channel" paintings that I've done over the last eight months.  Someone asked me what they mean.  They're a little hard for me to explain, but here goes.

 

The Channel Series

 

A channel, a passage, a transition.  

The edges of day.

  The overwhelming beauty of nature,

 The fear of being overwhelmed. 

Making your way into the light. 

 A little bit of all these things, and something else,

 something beyond our understanding.   

Autumn's Last Dance, painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Autumn's Last Dance, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 16x20, $650

 

 

Today's just completed painting is another of the row of palms.  This group was a little further down the row, and the light was pretty dusky by the time I got to thinking about painting them.  The details of where the trunk meets the crown, were a little murky, so added a bit of neck jewelry. 

 

I think the colors of a New England autumn have crept into this painting just a bit. So funny how a walk in the woods up north might affect a palm painting, but since I'm from there, I guess New England is always under the surface.  What's under your surface that informs your art?

Fall Parade daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Fall Parade, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x7"

 

 

This is a group of palms in the Fakahatchee further south than the group I've been painting.  The reds and oranges of autumn have still crept in.  I had to fuss with the color of the sky to get the temperature cool enough.  It went from orange, then yellow, both too warm, a light blue didn't suit me, and finally the cool pink seems to work well. 

 

Doing the little dailies is a pleasure since it's It's been quite busy in the studio, and I have sevaral commissions to finish. Most are going well, but one is giving me a hard time.  I know that the cause is I'm unclear about exactly what the client expects.  Most likely this is my fault rather than the client.  If I don't ask the right questions or get the right feedback there can be a disconnect. 

 

I'm excited about the concept for the painting,  so I'll just  have to give it a dramatic revision to see if I can get it control and going in a direction I can work with.  If not, I'll go back for more guidance to be sure we're on the same track. 

 



Snowman #4, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

 

Snowman #4, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on archival board, 5"x7"

 

 

I'm hoping you had a nice weekend.  My Thanksgiving was lovely, with family the highlight of a very quick trip to New England. The weather was perfect and travel was easy.  There was enough warmth from the morning sun to make a walk through the woods in November a real pleasure, even for someone now from Florida.  There were still some leaves on the trees, and the woods were full of the glorious golds and browns of Autumn.  

 

I flew back in time for the Snowman Extravaganza, with weather cool enough to enjoy the hot spiced wine and cookies. The Snowmen were all quite different, and it was interesting to hear just which ones appealed to the various customers.  Some were treasured for being different, and some folks only wanted the most traditional. 

 

There are some not yet adopted, and I'll be putting them up on the blog in the next few days.  If you see one you like, you can purchase it by coming into the Studio, calling me, or going to my gallery at Daily Paintworks online. 

If you are not yet sick of Snowmen yet, or want to delight the children, you might want to make some Melted Snowmen Cookies.  Thanks to cyber friend artist Kelly MacDonald for the tip. 

In the Distance daily painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

 

In the Distance, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 5"x7"

 

 

The light has been clear and lovly in the Everglades with weather perfect for humans.  We've had no rain for a while, and the Everglades animals are beginning to go into survival mode.  Alligators will dig water holes using snout and tail, and other animals will gather to share the water.

 

There are some natural sloughs, channels that will retain water throughout the dry season, and manmade construction has made other deepwater passages.  In these areas the alligators can gather without doing the work of excavation. 

 

The corner of Turner River Road, off US 41 is one such area. When I first came to Florida, almost 20 years ago, only one or two gators used this location during the dry season.  As the area developed, the channel was deepened.  Now, as the season progresses, more and more gators gather at this manmade water hole.  Today it's easy to see multiple gators there. 

 

Without the alligator holes throughout the Everglades, other animals may have to find new methods to find the water they need to survive.  It's too soon to know if the lack of alligator holes will become a serious problem to some species, but scientists are beginning to be concerned about the changes.  You can learn more about alligator holes from the Croc Doc.

Snowmen, tonight at 6

Snowmen, Tonight at 6!

Studio at the Esplanade

Just to get you in the mood, 
Last Year's Snowmen
 

 

Tough Times for Snowmen, too 

 

Favorite beach bunny with a Snowman 

Another favorite!

 

Hope to see you tonight! 

 

Snowmen, An Invitation!

Please forward to anyone who might think this could be fun. Thanks!

 

Jo-Ann Sanborn Everglades Artist Sunshine Studios of Marco Island Please join me for the Second Annual Snowman Extravaganza! (see opportunity below!) And some spiced wine and cookies! At the Esplanade Studio/Gallery Friday, November 23 6-8:00 pm Here's how this special event will work! Event will take place at the Esplanade Studio Gallery on November 23, from 6-8:00 pm. No one admitted before 6 pm., when snowmen will be unveiled Eighteen Snowmen, maybe a few more or less, each on their own golden easel YOUR CHOICE first come first served, $65.00 to $85 each - HALF the usual price of my daily paintings! This is the ONLY day/time to obtain your signed and dated collectible snowman directly from the artist. If you can't attend in person, ask a friend to select a special snowman for you. After the event, I'll post them online. Perfect for giving, or treating yourself!

Row of Palms, Autumn, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

Acrylic on Canvas, 6x 20, Sold

 

 

I'm still working up in size on this wonderful row of palm trees seen in the late afternoon light.  If you look back on this blog, you will see several smaller versions.  My plan is to do quite a large painting of this row of trees before I am done.  It helps to work out the color harmonies on the smaller versions until I'm ready to grow it up to a much larger size.

 

Studio work is going well, and I'm tired at the end of the day.  I'm discovering that I can usually get thefor a new painting down early in the day when I'm fresh and there's not too many people around, and have the painting well underway and know where I'm going as the day progresses.  I generally work on at least two paintings at a time, which gives me both thinking and drying time.

 

I was delighted to have Liz come into the shop to pick up her choice of Daily Painting.  She's the seasonal winner of the a daily painting given away from among people who receive my monthly newsletter.  If you would like to read my newsletter and have a chance at winning a daily painting, you can sign up here. 

My apologies for those who got your Thanksgiving post early.  I'm beginning to think that it's Blogger making the mistakes, not always ME, since I had very carefully scheduled that post for Thanksgiving day.  UGH.  It's very annoying to me, and I know an inconvenience to you, so please accept my apologies.  Blogger's been terrific, but sometimes causes issues I can't control  I'll be looking into other ways to be in touch with you.  And I DO want you to have a nice Thanksgiving!

Sunny Side Up, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 12x16

The Everglades environment is often the subject of this blog, and was the subject of my book. I often write about the environment, because I believe that we are only a small part of what goes on here on planet earth. I believe that as the most dominant species right now, we have an obligation to make sure that the plants and animals we share the earth with have their homes and habitat respected, too.

erstanding and accepting, and just being aware of the natural world is part of that respect.

 In my paintings, I often feature the magic moments that, if you are just willing to look, are constant gifts to us. The sunsets and sunrises here in Florida are glorious, not occasionally, but often. Each one is special and unique. I take the time to enjoy them, and hope you do, too.

Squash, again, daily painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Squash, again  2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x7"

 

The squash and pumpkins available this time are just begging to be painted.  I usually do at least one, and this is it for this year.   Well, at least I think so right now.  I don't know if this little beauty was grown locally or not, but will be asking more questions about where our food comes from now that the Marco Island Farmer's Market is back.  

 

Do you know that chosing and purchasing locally grown food puts much less strain on the environment?  It doesn't have to be shipped, so saves both gas and emissions, and ensures that local farmers will stay in business.  The quality of the food is usually better, too, because it comes to us fresh off the farm.

 

It can make a big difference in sustaining the environment if we all encourage and support local food production.  Thanks!  

Commissions, and helping the victims of Sandy

Quiet Place, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 8x10, sold.

 

It's been a couple of busy weeks, mostly working on commissions.  They are always stressful for me, as the reality of creating another person's vision gives me fits.  Still, The challenge and the income makes it worthwhile, so I do most of what's asked in the hopes of artistic growth.  The small painting above is one of a pair that will be traveling soon, and be placed on either side of a fireplace, reminding their owner of the joys of visiting Marco Island.

 

David and Carol Marine, at Daily Paintworks are doing a Hurricane Sandy Artists Challenge, and the proceeds of the art sale will go to the victims of the dreadful storm.  My first painting sold, so I'm putting in a second painting.  You can bid on Gull, or another painting to help the storm victims here.  

 

 

Gull, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 7"x5"

 

Hope to see you at the Art Center's reception for the show America the Beautiful tomorrow, Tuesday from 5:30 to 7:30.  There will be refreshments and its, free.  See if you are beginning to recognize the local artists without peeking at the labels!   

 





Limeade, painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Limeade, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 11x14

 



 



Island Breeze, painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Island Breeze, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 30x30

Today's painting, Island Breeze, was started way back in August when we had that little hurricane flurry long before Sandy.  It's been on my website for about a week, and I just realized I hadn't shown it here yet. 

With getting the new studio ready and preparing for the Grand Opening, both the weather and my activity level changed dramatically, and so did the painting. 

When I started this painting, these three palms trees were moving and blowing in a pretty stiff wind.  Today, they are barely swaying in the light breeze in an almost idyllic view.  

Could the painting have morphed as a reflextion of my own activites, from overly busy to now settled into the new studio? 



More on Original, and Peaceful Morning, daily painting by Everglades Artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Peaceful Morning, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on board, 5"x7"

 

 

I recently wrote about making original art.  Its been said that nothing is truly original.  So how do we grow as artists?  Does our inspiration come from our deep within our own brain, or is it triggered by something we see?  The answer may be a little of both.   

Art History should be  a part of what every artist knows.  We look  at the art of those who came before us.  We also look at the work of our contemporaries, to see what they are doing.  When we look at the work of others, what happens?  Some assessing and some absorbing, and yes, maybe even some borrowing.  But not stealing.   

I know that I'm personally interested in seeing what other artists have done or are doing, particularly the work of other landscape painters.  I often see something that I am drawn to in other artists work.  I might post a copy of what interests me on my inspiration board, and look at it for days, trying to understand the technique or appreciating the delicateness of the work.  Some of this will stay with me, and when the opportunity arises I might try the technique or use the color combination in a part of my painting.   

 

Artists are always learning, and exploring the work of others doing similar work is part of that process.  It's part of determining where your own work fits in the context of where you stand as an artist in the world today.  After you build a strong foundation of knowledge, your own work will have the strength to stand on its own.

Exploring an idea, and Late Day Light by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Late Day Light, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 11x14

 

 

I'm continuing to explore the late day light against the trunks of a row of palms seen recently in the Everglades at the end of a day.  I was so lucky to have see it.  Moments like this fade quickly, and if you happen to be looking the other way you might miss it completely.  Morning light is often like that, fading or changing quickly while I'm in the shower! 

 

Although I have painted almost every day for years, being inside the studio for so many hours a week will definitely have an effect on my work.  I'm not sure how--like most artists I may never know.  You just have to paint from the heart and hope the finished product will please you and make someone happy. 

 

In this series I am finding that the balances are very delicate.  I'm talking about how many verticals, and their position, as well as the color harmony.  Painting is a process, and as this painting developed the palm trunks changed position a few times.  I'd like to get them leaning a little more, but when I tried leaning them, the whole looked rather forced and trivial.  They ended up straight again. 

 

In nature each plant finds its own space, and it may take another visit to the spot to see exactly how they grow in order to change what my mind has seen. More to think about, and maybe work on in another painting. I may do a still larger painting of this subject, but am not sure how it will translate.  I'll think about it and maybe some sketches to see if it will scale well.

What is original art? Summer Sky, painting by Everglades artist Jo-Ann Sanborn

Summer Sky, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 12"x24"

My paintings are all original works of art.   I said this to someone in the studio recently and wasn't sure they understood.  I don't mean to sound preachy about it, but want to define what making original art means to me. 

Getting my response to a subject down on canvas in a meaningful way is the challenge of being original.  Over and over again, never quite able to do nature justice.  Growing and learning along the way, every day.  Doing it my way, while respectfully mindful of the knowledge and history of artists before me and beside me. 

Familiarity with the subject.  For me,  the Everglades and the South Florida environment.  I spend a lot of time in the Everglades, and outside in general.  Certain aspects of the landscape are more interesting than others on any given day, but the fabulous Everglades landscape that I love never fails to inspire me.

This almost always has something to do with the way light plays on or around the subject.  Sometimes light reveals the object, sometimes defines it, and sometimes it invades an object or area in a way not often seen.  When it's not light, it's color, or a combination of light and color.  I'm inspired to create a painting of THAT in a way that is from the heart and uniquely mine. 

Copying or reproducing are not part of original, although they may have a valued place in some artist business plans.   Observing something special and exploring ways to portray it are what makes an original work of art no matter the genre.  At least that's my take on original. 

Today's painting, Summer Sky is an original work of art.  The inspiration for today's painting is a little piece of the Everglades that I find quite peaceful and love to visit.  I love the way the marsh falls off to the right, and the shapes of the hardwood hammocks in the distance.  This particular day the rainy season clouds were building on the horizon, but there was no real threat of rain. 

Have a Happy Halloween!   

Everglades Light

Everglades Light, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

acrylic on canvas, 11x14, sold

 

The drop in humidity and a little coolness makes it a wonderful time of year to get out into the Everglades.  There's plenty of water from the summer rains.  The sloughs are full, and in the quiet you can hear the surface water gurgling softly on it's way to the Gulf.  With a  100 mile wide river of grass to get through, and only a slight decrease in elevation, the water is on a long, slow journey.  

 

There are more wading birds feeding in the shallow water, and more overhead.  Some will stay for the winter, but others are just passing through.  

 

Much of the land from Marco Island to Miami is preserved.  Spending time in nature calms our souls, lowers the blood pressure, and makes us realize we're only a small part of a much larger world. If you're not sure what to do or where to go on your own in the Everglades, stop into the studio and I'll give you a map of some easy and inexpensive ways to orient yourselves to the wonderful Everglades environment.

 

Today's painting is a larger version of the one I did last week.    Exploring the palms standing out against a background of brush is a subject I haven't visited for a while, but continues to intrigue. It's from a place I often pass, but don't get to stop and absorb.  Last week the late day light was perfect.  Everglades magic! 

Flat shoes but a great party!

I'll be wearing my flat shoes today, but there is a BIG  smile on my face.   The studio opening was a magnificent event, positively magical for me, and I hope for you.

 

 

The studio looked wonderful decorated with flowers from dear family, friends and clients. 

 

 

The event couldn't have been held without "the Help." who were drafted, came dressed in style,  and worked as hard as anyone I've ever seen. 

 

 

 Champagne flowed freely and chocolates were passed.  Best of all, YOU came and had a good time.

 

It was rewarding to see people discussing the Everglades paintings.  The landscape that inspires me seems to intrigue and interest you, too.   Each of you had a different favorite!  My artist friends from the Colony came, to wish me well too.  Thank you!

 

 

My photos aren't the best and mostly I forgot, so I'm hoping that some of you who were there will send a couple of good photos.  I didn't even get a photo of the Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting. You should see their scissors!

 

 

What a great group you are.  You are my world, and I'm very appreciative! Thank you for your encouragement and your support! 

 

It's farily unique for an artist to have a working studio and a gallery combined into one.  I'll be opened from 11-5, Wed through Saturday, so please stop in to talk art, talk Everglades, or just let me know what's going on in YOUR life. 

 

Now, off to return the champagne glasses and get the studio back into working shape.